Interface device for a gliding board, a gliding apparatus including such device, and a method of manufacture

ABSTRACT

An interface device between an element for retaining a boot and a gliding board, the interface device including a raising platform having an upper surface with at least one zone for receiving the retaining element, as well as a lower surface; a planar longitudinal stiffener having a thickness less than the thickness of the raising platform, the longitudinal stiffener being positioned beneath the raising platform. The raising platform includes two parallel rails on which the retaining element of the boot can slide. The longitudinal stiffener includes a first planar portion sandwiched between the raising platform and the upper surface of the gliding board, and the planar portion is parallel to the upper surface of the gliding board. The invention also includes a gliding board equipped with the interface device, as well as a method of manufacturing a gliding apparatus that includes the interface device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of French Patent Application No. 06.01215, filed on Feb. 10, 2006, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an interface device between a gliding board and a binding element for a boot that is mounted on the gliding board. The invention also relates to a gliding board equipped with such an interface.

2. Description of Background and Relevant Information

Interface devices between an element for retaining a boot and a gliding board, such as between a binding and a ski, are known from the prior art. They are especially used to isolate the retaining elements from the gliding board and to enable the boot to be elevated. Furthermore, they are often designed so that the retaining elements hinder the flexion of the ski as little as possible.

The document WO 98/48907 describes an interface device constituted by an aluminum plate fixed to the ski in its central portion only. The retaining elements are fixed to the two ends of the interface device. Rubber dampening inserts are sandwiched between the aluminum plate and the ski. In such a construction, the flexing of the ski is not significantly influenced by the retaining elements because they are fixed to an independent plate, which is connected to the ski only through an area that does not extend significantly along the length of the ski. However, the transmission of sensory information between the ski and the skier is not good because all forces are transmitted through the central portion of the plate. This causes a lack of precision in guiding/steering the ski. Furthermore, during skiing, the central area of the plate causes an uneven distribution of the forces exerted by the ski to the snow. Indeed, the forces exerted by the ski to the snow where the plate is attached are much greater than elsewhere. This also negatively affects the behavior of the ski, especially edge settings.

The document WO 01/70348 describes another interface device in which a plate is fixed parallel to and at a certain distance from the ski. The plate is fastened to the ski by a pivot assembly, on the one hand, and a sliding fastener, on the other hand. An elastomer material is sandwiched between the plate and the ski. Thus, the retaining elements have a limited influence on the flexing of the ski. However, such a construction does not completely solve the problem of precision in guiding/steering the ski.

The document FR 2 763 861 describes an interface device which raises the boot and includes a plurality of grooves so that the device can follow the flexion movements of the ski. Furthermore, with this device, one seeks to improve the reactive capability of the ski by filling the grooves with a viscoelastic material. However, having grooves negatively affects the ski guiding/steering precision.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an interface device between an element for retaining a boot and a gliding board, which makes it possible to overcome the limitations of the devices known in the prior art. More particularly, the invention provides an interface device between an element for retaining a boot and a gliding board that raises the boot, does not change the behavior of the gliding board, especially in flexion, and improves the behavior of the gliding board, thus enabling a precise steering of the gliding board, a better grip over its entire length, while enhancing the reactive capabilities of the gliding board.

In addition, the invention provides an interface device that makes it possible to quickly mount the retaining elements on the gliding board.

Further, the invention provides an interface device that improves the dynamic behavior of the gliding board when bending and/or twisting.

To these ends and others, the invention provides an interface device between an element for retaining a boot and a gliding board, such device including:

-   -   a raising platform having a thickness E₂ and an upper surface         having at least one zone for receiving the retaining element, as         well as a lower surface;     -   a planar longitudinal stiffener having a thickness E₁, less than         the thickness E₂ of the raising platform, and positioned beneath         the raising platform.

In the interface device of the invention, the conventional function of an interface device is performed by the raising platform used for fastening the retaining elements, and optionally for fastening them quickly while allowing them to slide on one or several rails. Furthermore, the interface device according to the invention is also used for distributing the pressures exerted by the ski to the snow, due to the longitudinal stiffener.

Advantageously, in the interface device of the invention, the two functions, namely fastening the retaining elements and distributing pressures, are fulfilled by distinct and independent elements.

These elements can be made of various materials having different properties. The raising platform can be made of an injected plastic material. The stiffener can be made of metal, such as aluminum, for example.

In a particular embodiment, the raising platform of the interface device according to the invention includes two parallel arms, on each of which is arranged a rail used for fastening the retaining elements, a bridging section connecting the two arms for improving the resistance to deformation of the gliding board/interface device assembly, when such assembly is subjected to transverse pressures with respect to the longitudinal plane of the gliding board. The bridging section can be part of the stiffener and can be constituted by a raised portion of the stiffener.

The stiffener of the invention modifies only slightly the dynamic behavior of the gliding board because of the following attributes of the stiffener: its length; its relative thinness with respect to the raising platform; it being made of a denser material than that of the raising platform; and because it is positioned beneath the raising platform, that is, as near to the upper surface of the gliding board as possible and, therefore, as near to the neutral axis of the gliding board as possible. The raising platform has a minimal effect on the behavior of the ski despite having a more substantial thickness than that of the stiffener.

In a particular embodiment, the stiffener is made of a more noble material than the raising platform, such as aluminum or a composite material, whereas the raising platform is made of plastic material. The stiffener can also be made of a more rigid plastic material having a more substantial density than the plastic material used to make the raising platform.

In a particular embodiment, the stiffener includes planar portions that are parallel to the upper surface of the ski as well as portions, which form a non-null angle α, relative to these planar portions.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the angle α is 90° or substantially equal to 90°.

The invention also provides a method of manufacturing a gliding board including an interface device such as described above, and which includes the following: making a gliding board and fastening the interface device to the upper surface of the gliding board.

The invention also provides a method of manufacturing a gliding board including an interface device such as described hereinabove, and which includes the following: preparing the various parts of which the gliding board is comprised, particularly a core; filling a mold with the parts of which the gliding board is comprised, and with the interface device; positioning the mold in a press for a period of time necessary for the assembly; removing the gliding board equipped with the interface device from the mold.

The invention also provides a method of manufacturing a gliding board including an interface device such as described hereinabove, and which includes the following: preparing the various parts of which the gliding board is comprised; filling a mold with the parts of which the gliding board is comprised, and with the interface device; injecting the core of the gliding board; and removing the gliding board equipped with the interface device from the mold.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood from the description that follows, with reference to the annexed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view of the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the interface device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the interface device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the stiffener of the interface device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a gliding board provided with a gliding device according to a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the gliding board and of the interface device of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the gliding board and of the interface device of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a ski 1 provided with a front retaining element 2, a rear retaining element 3, and an interface device according to the prior art. The interface device is constituted of a front portion 4 and a rear portion 5. Each of the front and rear portions of the interface device of FIG. 1 is fixed to the ski by screws. The front retaining element, generally referred to as the toe piece, and the rear retaining element, generally referred to as the heel piece, are fixed to the front portion and the rear portion of the interface device respectively. The drawback of such a system is that the distribution of the pressures which the ski exerts on the snow is poorly managed. Indeed, the pressures are concentrated in the vicinity of the screws that fix the interface device to the ski.

FIG. 2 illustrates an interface device 51 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The interface device 51 includes a front portion 9 and a rear portion 10, which are connected to one another via a central portion 11. It includes a raising platform 71 and a longitudinal stiffener 61. The raising platform 71 is an element made of plastic material, such as polyurethane, e.g., which is manufactured by injection molding. Alternatively, within the scope of the invention, the material used for making the raising platform could be another plastic material, or other suitable material.

The raising platform includes a plurality of notches 14, 141, which enable the platform to follow the flexion movements of the ski. These notches do not extend through the thickness of the platform, but open out onto each lateral side of the raising platform. The notches 14, 141 can advantageously be replaced by any other structure or means for increasing the flexibility of the platform.

Two types of holes extend through the raising platform 71. The first holes 12 are through holes that allow the raising platform to be fixed to the gliding board. The second holes 13 are in greater number than the first holes and allow the retaining elements to be fixed to the interface device in any of a plurality of positions.

The interface device 51 also includes a longitudinal stiffener 61, which is positioned beneath the raising platform and sandwiched between the platform and the surface of the gliding board. The longitudinal stiffener 61, in this embodiment, is constituted of an aluminum plate. It has a thickness E₁ that is less than the thickness E₂ of the raising platform 71. The stiffener 61 can also be made of any other material that is more rigid and denser than the raising platform. The longitudinal stiffener 61 can also be made as a plate including glass or carbon fibers, or the like.

FIG. 3 illustrates a transverse cross-sectional view of the interface device 51, showing openings in the longitudinal stiffener 61 opposite the first holes 12, used for fixing the interface device 51 to the gliding board.

When the retaining elements of the boot are fixed to the interface device, which is itself fixed to the gliding board, the dynamic behavior of the gliding board is not significantly modified with respect to the behavior it would have if an interface device, such as known in the prior art was used, because the stiffener is positioned as close to the neutral axis as possible. However, the pressures exerted by the ski on the snow are better distributed.

FIG. 4 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention. The interface device 52 includes a front portion 91 and a rear portion 101. The rear portion 101 is made as a conventional interface, that is, without a stiffener. This is a raising element achieved by plastic injection molding. The rear portion 101 is fixed to the gliding board by four screws.

In order to prevent the rear portion 101 from hindering the flexing of the ski board, two rear screws 25 of the rear portion 101 are movable in longitudinal translation with respect to the rear portion 101, whereas two front screws 24 are fixed.

For the rear screws 25 to be movable in translation with respect to the rear portion 101, they are positioned in a slide 26, which can move in translation in a housing extending through the end of the rear portion 101. The slide 26 includes a block on which a plate 27 is positioned, the lateral wings of the plate 27 being supported on the rear rails 28 of the rear portion 101.

The rear portion 101 includes two rear rails 28, which extend longitudinally over its entire length. In a known manner, these rear rails are used for positioning the rear retaining element, which includes, at its base, a plate that is adapted to slide on the rear rails 28.

The front portion 91 includes a longitudinal stiffener 82 and a raising platform 72. The raising platform 72 includes two lateral arms 15, 16, each being connected to the other by its end that is the nearer to the rear portion 101. The raising platform 72 includes an average thickness of about 10 mm. The thickness diminishes toward the front of the raising platform and slightly increases toward the rear of the platform. A 10-mm thickness is a non-limiting characteristic of the invention, and raising platforms could have greater or lesser thicknesses, depending upon the gliding board onto which the interface device is fixed and depending upon the sport that is envisioned, including slalom skiing, alpine skiing, freestyle skiing, freeride skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, telemarking, off-track skiing, etc.

Each of the arms 15, 16 includes a plurality of notches 142, which prevent the raising platform 72 from hindering the flexion movements of the gliding board. The raising platform is fixed to the gliding board by means of a plurality of dowel pins 17, which are glued in holes provided in the gliding board. Screws could alternatively be used instead of pins.

The stiffener 82, in this embodiment, is constituted of an aluminum plate with a thickness of about 1 mm. The plate includes openings 18, through which the pins 17 of the raising platform 72 are to extend. The stiffener is therefore fixed to the gliding board via the raising platform 72.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the front portion 91 of the interface device 52. In this drawing figure, the thickness E₂ of the raising platform 72 is greater than the thickness E₁ of the stiffener 82.

The stiffener 82 includes a first planar portion 19, which is provided to rest on the gliding board, and which supports the first arm 15 of the raising platform 72, as well as a second planar portion 20, which is provided to rest on the gliding board, and which supports the second arm 16.

The stiffener 82 includes two secant portions 21, which extend each of the first and second planar portions 19, 20 outward, and form, with the first and second planar portions, an angle α that is 90° or substantially equal to 90°.

The first planar portion 19 and the second planar portion 20 are connected to one another by a bridging section 23, which is raised with respect to the planar portions 19, 20. In other words, if the height of the upper surface of the first and second planar portions 19 and 20 with respect to the upper surface of the gliding board equals H₁, then the height of the upper surface of the bridging section 23 is H₂, which is greater than H₁. Raising the bridging section 23 with respect to the planar portions 19, 20 increases the torsional strength of the interface device.

Furthermore, each of the arms 15, 16 is supported on the bridging section 23, which improves the hold of the interface device when the retaining elements, which are fixed thereto, are subjected to pressures having a transverse component with respect to the longitudinal plane of the gliding board.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the stiffener 82, which shows that the bridging section 23 is located only in the central zone of the stiffener. The two planar portions 19 and 20 are also connected to one another at the rear end of the stiffener 82. Alternatively, the two planar portions could be connected to one another over their entire length. In addition to the openings 18, cut-outs 31 also extend through the stiffener 82, which serves to reduce the weight of the stiffener.

The raising platform 72 includes two front rails 29 that extend longitudinally over its entire length, as shown in FIG. 4. As for the rear rails 28 previously described, the front rails 29 are used for positioning the front retaining element on the interface device.

The interface device 52 according to the second embodiment of the invention also includes a blade 30 used for longitudinally blocking the front and rear retaining elements on the front and rear rails.

The method of manufacturing a ski equipped with an interface device according to the second embodiment of the invention includes the following: preparing the various parts that comprise the gliding board, particularly a core; filling a mold with these parts that comprise the gliding board; positioning the mold in a press for the period of time required for the assembly; removing the gliding board from the mold; and fixing the interface device to the upper surface of the gliding board. The latter phase includes drilling holes into the gliding board, then screwing the rear portion 101, by means of the front 24 and rear 25 screws, and finally gluing the front portion 91 by means of the pins 17, which are received in the holes. The glued pins can also be replaced by screws. In such a method of manufacture, the manner by which the gliding board is made is not relevant, because the interface device, including the stiffener, is fixed after the board has already been made. Therefore, gliding boards can be made with cores that have been prepared before the gliding board is pressed, as well as gliding boards with a core injected in situ.

In the second embodiment of the invention, a stiffener is included only in the front portion of the interface device. In addition, or alternatively, a stiffener can be provided in the rear portion.

FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 illustrate a third embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7 shows a transverse cross-sectional view of the gliding board, to which an interface device is fixed. The latter includes a raising platform 73 and a longitudinal stiffener 63 positioned beneath the raising platform 73. FIG. 8 shows a partial longitudinal cross section of the gliding board.

The raising platform 73 includes two independent arms 153, 163 on each of which is arranged a rail used for fixing the retaining elements. The raising platform 73 also includes a plurality of pins 173, which project downward, extending through openings provided in the stiffener, and allowing anchoring the interface device in the structure of the gliding board. Each pin includes a recess to improve the strength of the anchoring in the core of the gliding board. The core 34 is made of a foam, which, when hardening, fills up the space included between the upper sub-assembly 32 and the lower sub-assembly 33.

In this embodiment, the stiffener is a unitary element, i.e., a one-piece element, but in an alternative embodiment, the stiffener could be constituted of two parallel portions, distinct from one another, at least over a large portion of their length. In this alternative embodiment, each of the two portions of the stiffener is positioned under one of the arms constituting the raising platform.

FIG. 9 illustrates a partial top view of the gliding board/interface device assembly of the third embodiment of the invention. A bridging section 233 is arranged between the two arms 153 and 163 of the raising platform 73, which makes it possible to prevent the gliding board from deforming when, during edge setting, the retaining elements simultaneously exert a pressure on the arm positioned on the side of the edge setting, and a traction on the opposite arm. To limit the force of the bridging section 233 on the behavior of the gliding board in flexion, the bridging section is fastened to the arms 153 and 163, while being longitudinally movable. Thus, when the gliding board flexes, the bridging section does not hinder the flexion.

A method of manufacturing the gliding board equipped with an interface device according to the third embodiment of the invention includes the following: preparing the various parts which comprise the gliding board, that is, the upper sub-assembly 32, the lower sub-assembly 33, the raising platform 73, and the stiffener 63; filling the mold with the parts which comprise the gliding board and with the interface device; injecting the core of the gliding board; and removing the gliding board from the mold.

This description is only given by way of example and other embodiments of the invention could be adopted without leaving the scope thereof. For example, the thickness of the raising platform, or the average thickness as mentioned above in a particular embodiment, is about 10 mm, whereas the thickness of the longitudinal stiffener is about 1 mm. Although the thickness of the stiffener is on the order of 10% the thickness of the raising platform, such ratio is presented only as an example.

LIST OF ELEMENTS

-   1—gliding board -   2—front retaining element -   3—rear retaining element -   4—front interface portion -   5—rear interface portion -   9, 91—front portion -   10, 101—rear portion -   11—central portion -   12—first holes -   13—second holes -   14, 141, 142—notches -   15, 153—first lateral arm -   16, 163—second lateral arm -   17, 173—pin -   18—opening -   19—first planar portion -   20—second planar portion -   21—secant portion -   23, 233—bridging section -   24—front screw -   25—rear screw -   26—slide -   27—plate -   28—rear rails -   29—front rails -   30—blade -   31—lightening cut-outs -   32—upper sub-assembly -   33—lower sub-assembly -   34—core -   51, 52—interface device -   61, 62—stiffener -   71, 72, 73—raising platform 

1. An interface device adapted to be positioned between an element for retaining a boot and a gliding board, said device comprising: a raising platform having a thickness, an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper surface having at least one zone for receiving said retaining element; a planar longitudinal stiffener having a thickness less than the thickness of said raising platform, said stiffener being positioned beneath the raising platform.
 2. An interface device according to claim 1, wherein: said raising platform comprises two parallel rails; said retaining element for the boot is slidable on said rails.
 3. An interface device according to claim 1, wherein: the longitudinal stiffener comprises a first planar portion sandwiched between said raising platform and the upper surface of the gliding board; said planar portion is parallel to said upper surface of the gliding board.
 4. An interface device according to claim 3, wherein: said longitudinal stiffener comprises a first secant portion; said first secant portion forms a non-null angle with said first planar portion.
 5. An interface device according to claim 4, wherein: said angle is equal to 90°.
 6. An interface device according to claim 1, wherein: said raising platform comprises structure to increasing flexibility of said raising platform.
 7. An interface device according to claim 6, wherein: said structure comprises notches.
 8. An interface device according to claim 2, wherein: said raising platform comprises a first arm and a second arm parallel to the first arm; one of said rails is arranged on each of the arms.
 9. An interface device according to claim 8, further comprising: a bridging section arranged between said first arm and said second arm.
 10. An interface device according to claim 1, wherein: said longitudinal stiffener comprises a second planar portion connected to said first planar portion by a bridging section; said first planar portion and said second planar portion have equal heights; said bridging section has a height greater than said heights of said first and second planar portions.
 11. An interface device according to claim 10, wherein: said raising platform comprises a first arm positioned on the first planar portion and a second arm positioned on the second planar portion.
 12. A gliding apparatus comprising: a gliding board; and an interface device adapted to be positioned between an element for retaining a boot on the gliding board, said interface device comprising: a raising platform having a thickness, an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper surface having at least one zone for receiving said retaining element; a planar longitudinal stiffener having a thickness less than the thickness of said raising platform, said stiffener being positioned beneath the raisin
 13. A gliding apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: a front retaining element and a rear retaining element; at least one of said retaining elements being fixed to said interface device.
 14. A gliding apparatus according to claim 13, wherein: said front retaining element and said rear retaining element are fixed to said interface device.
 15. A method of manufacturing a gliding apparatus according to claim 12, said method comprising: manufacturing the gliding board; and fixing said interface device on an upper surface of said gliding board.
 16. A method of manufacturing a gliding apparatus according to claim 12, said method comprising: preparing various parts comprising the gliding board, said parts including a core; filling a mold with said parts and with said interface device, placing the mold in a press for a time to assemble together said parts and said interface device; removing the gliding board equipped with said interface device from the mold.
 17. A method of manufacturing a gliding apparatus according to claim 12, said method comprising: preparing various parts comprising the gliding board; filling a mold with said parts and with said interface device; injecting the core of the gliding board into the mold; removing the gliding board equipped with said interface device from the mold. 